Senate passes RH bill on 2nd reading; voting on 3rd reading

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate passed the reproductive health (RH) bill on second reading and immediately put the controversial measure to a vote for third and final reading on Monday night.

A total of 13 senators voted for the passage of the bill and eight voted against it.

Those who voted for the bill were Francis Escudero, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Loren Legarda, Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Joker Arroyo, Teofisto Guingona III, Ralph Recto and Edgardo Angara.

Senators Vicente Sotto III, Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada, Koko Pimentel, Antonio Trillanes IV, Manny Villar, Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla and Gregorio Honasan III voted against the measure.

Before the voting, the senators tackled the amendments proposed by Sotto, who had promised that he will introduce at least 30 amendments to the proposed measure.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, co-author of the bill, had said that they will just accept the proposed amendments, which may still be removed during the bicameral conference.

Immediately after voting on second reading, the bill was put to a vote for third and final reading.

As of this posting, the senators were still voting on the bill. Jovan Cerda